Mixing baseball with community health concerns

CLIMAX — When it comes to Mid-State Melon Mashers baseball, the newest team in the county, Safe at Second Base takes on a whole new meaning.

The Melon Mashers, an independent wood bat team organized by General Manager Carter Catlett, is competing in its first season, but it’s not just about the baseball. 

The team is making a campaign to highlight community health awareness, including breast cancer awareness, and it has scheduled an important event for this Saturday, June 13, at Providence Grove High School, the Melon Mashers’ home field.

Prior and during the Melon Mashers game against the Greensboro Ducks, the Melon Mashers and Breast Cancer of Greensboro Imaging will have a mobile mammography unit onsite, which will provide breast cancer screenings for those who have preregistered prior to game day. 

This offers the opportunity for early detection and preventative care in the fight against breast cancer.

Organizers emphasize that appointments are required, and certain eligibility restrictions may apply.

“This event is about more than just baseball,” Catlett said. “It’s about making sure our community members and their loved ones stay healthy and proactive.”

This is the first season for the Melon Mashers, who play teams including the Charlotte Green Sox, the Lake Norman HarborHippos, the Raleigh Red Oaks and the Cape Fear Ghost Crabs. They also have a game scheduled against the Holly Springs Salamanders, a member of the Coastal Plain league, and have already played Zebulon, another member of the CPL.

Some local talent for the Melon Mashers include Asheboro High School graduate Connor Adams, Southwestern Randolph High School graduate Zack Scruggs, Providence Grove High School’s Andrew Thomas, Colin Duval and Trevor Kirkman, Randleman High School’s Carter Catlett IV and Elijah Prince, and Trinity High School’s Ethan Willard.

“My son played in a summer league based in Randolph County last year and there were only three Randolph County players on the whole team,” Catlett said. “Randolph County, being a big baseball area, seemed like there should be opportunities to play.”

Catlett said 85 percent on the roster are from the Triad.

Carter said the name Melon Mashers is honoring those who have fought or are fighting breast cancer. Catlett’s wife underwent breast cancer treatment and that’s where he got the idea.

Catlett said he talked with his wife and numerous cancer survivors and patients and got the go-ahead. When Catlett’s wife was diagnosed, he said doctors, nurses, technicians and even a janitor once, he joked, came in and mashed on her breasts.

“They think it’s fantastic, I’m certainly not trying to offend anyone,” Catlett said of the reaction people have had with the team’s nickname and the team mascot named “Knockers.”

Other mottos the Mellon Mashers are using include “Squeeze Plays Save Lives,” “Caught Looking” and “Touch Them All.”

For more information on how to register for a mammogram appointment Saturday, contact Lindy Stevens at 336-433-5000 x2040 or email lstevens@greensboroimaging.com.